A penalty by Aussie replacement David Horwitz eight minutes from time helped Connacht to a nail-biting 20-18 win over European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 3 rivals Sale Sharks.

The win leaves Sale on top by virtue of a superior points difference ahead of the final pool games next Saturday when Sale host Perpignan and Connacht travel to Bordeaux.

Connacht had begun much the stronger and built a 17-0 advantage inside the opening quarter courtesy of tries by Australian centre Kyle Godwin and scrum half James Mitchell straight from the resulting kick-off after a hack ahead.

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Fly-half Jack Carty landed both conversions to add to an early penalty and Sale were desperate for a response which duly arrived just before the break as England winger Chris Ashton rounded off some crisp approach work.

South African fly-half Faf de Klerk converted and was inspirational in the fightback as he crossed for a try ten minutes into the second half before landing two penalties to give Sale an 18-17 advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

In a tense finale it was Horwitz who landed the knockout blow for Connacht to set up what promises to be an exciting climax next weekend.